Rashada Williams called to Windies camp

Windies Women Selectors have called up 21-year-old Jamaican Rashada Williams for her first taste of international action, in place of 29-year-old Trinidadian Britney Cooper, as the team begins preparation for the upcoming series against Pakistan.

Cooper, one of the heroes of the 2016 Twenty20 (T20) World Cup triumph, has struggled recently and managed only 23 runs in five innings in last November's most recent edition of the ICC tournament.

She is the only experienced player missing as the 20 member squad comprises 14 of the 15 players who contested the recent T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. Camp convener Courtney Browne, however, said there were high hopes for Williams

"Rashada Williams impressed the selectors with her solid technique and her ability against spin bowling," Browne said.

"The panel believes with help from the coaching staff, she can develop into a very good player that can add solidity."

The squad will be involved in a two-week camp here which got underway yesterday at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

An improved showing

Captain Stafanie Taylor will not feature, however, due to her participation in the ongoing Women's Big Bash League in Australia.

The Windies are set to face Pakistan in three One-Day Internationals (ODI) and T20 Internationals next month, and Browne said selectors were looking for an improved showing, especially in the shorter format.

"After a decent and competitive run at the ICC T20 World Cup 2018, the Windies women will be expected to build on that momentum going into the One-Dayers and T20 series against Pakistan," he said.

"The team needs to improve its showing in ODI cricket, especially, and we want to see marked improvement in this format.

"The women have been involved in a number of strategic camps over the last year and we have seen improvements as reflected during the T20 World Cup particularly in the fielding."